BG eNews

AUGUST

8/17 - Picture Day (see details below)

8/20 - New Family Welcome 10:00-11 in the BG staff lounge

8/24 - PTO Meeting 2:00 in the BG staff lounge

8/26 - Elementary School Early 2:35 Dismissal

8/27 - PTO Welcome Back Picnic 5:30-7:00 PM

SEPTEMBER

9/1 - Curriculum Night (see details below)

9/4 - Institute Day (NO SCHOOL)

9/7 - Labor Day Holiday (NO SCHOOL)

9/18 - PTO Fun Run (details coming soon)

9/30 - Elementary School Early 2:35 Dismissal

The PTO has a new newsletter! If you would like to be added, please email the PTO at bgeblast@gmail.com

When is picture day at Bell-Graham?

Monday, 8/17

How do I prepay?

Click here & ENTER CODE 0496CDF

Why would I prepay without seeing the pictures first?

To avoid a shipping fee.

When will the pictures arrive to Bell-Graham?

On average, 3-4 weeks. They will likely arrive mid September.

What if I want retakes after prepaying for pictures?

Simply send your child in with the picture package you ordered on retake day, 10/26. Your child with hand the first set of photos to the photographer. When retake photos are printed, your child will be sent home with the same picture package you originally ordered, but with the retake photo.

What if my child is absent on picture day?

They will have an opportunity to have their picture taken on retake day, 10/26.

It is essential that your child’s bus backpack tag remains securely attached to the top loop of their backpack.

Please take a few minutes to ensure that your child’s tag is clearly visible and securely fastened. If a replacement tag is needed at any time, please notify your child’s teacher and the school office as soon as possible.

Thank you for helping us keep our students safe!

Families are welcome to attend either session listed below. The grade level sessions will be hosted by the classroom teachers. The same material will be covered in both sessions. This format will allow parents to attend sessions for multiple teachers, if necessary, and ensure that they receive a comprehensive overview of what to expect throughout the school year. It also provides a chance for parents to meet the teacher, understand classroom expectations, and learn about the key curricular topics their children will explore. More information regarding Curriculum Night will come closer to the date from your child's classroom teacher. This is a parent-only event.

>>> NEW THIS YEAR <<<

New this year is our presentation held in the Community Room. Session 1 will be held 5- 5:20 and Session 2 will be held 7:10- 7:30. These presentations will be led by Mrs. Klueppel, Mr. Huisinga, and Dr. Dieckman as they will present on Bell-Graham's mission, vision, core values, as well as our new PBIS systems and structures.

Grades 3-5

Attend the 5:00-5:30 OR 7:10-7:30 Community Room Presentation AND one of the classroom sessions below:

• Session 1: 5:30-5:55
• Session 2: 6:05 - 6:30

Grades K-2

Attend the 5:00-5:30 OR 7:10-7:30 Community Room Presentation AND one of the classroom sessions below:

• Session 1: 6:05- 6:30
• Session 2: 6:35- 7:05

REQUIRED HEALTH FORMS REMINDER:

Please turn in your required health forms to the Health Office! If you are missing any health records you will be contacted!

Kindergarten and Students new to Illinois- Physical, Vision, Dental, Health survey Students who are new to Illinois need to have these on Illinois forms.

2nd Grade- Dental

3rd Grade- Updated Health Survey

All of the forms are linked here for your convenience or you can go to the District Website and find them in the parent section under Forms. We will be sending home letters to the students who have missing medical records.

HEALTHY SNACK REMINDER:

Dear parents/guardians,

To keep our student brains active and ready to learn each day, you are encouraged to pack a healthy snack for your child each day. Please note, a snack will not be provided at school if forgotten.

ACTIVITY RESTRICTION FROM PE/RECESS REMINDER:

Below is a reminder of the protocol for Activity Restrictions for PE/Recess.

Please send all Doctor or Parent notes regarding Activity Restrictions to the Health Office.

Students may be excused from participation in Physical Education and/or recess due to illness or injury for up to 3 consecutive days with written permission from a parent.

Students who are to be excused from Physical Education and/or recess for longer than this amount of time must present a written and signed excuse note from a health care provider explaining the reason and duration of the restriction.

• Students will not be allowed to return to activity without written consent.

• Consent must be from the same health care provider

• Consent must state that the student is cleared to return to activities.

Students with an illness or injury requiring exclusion from Physical Education will automatically be restricted at recess, but will go outside for fresh air.

Please reach out if you have any questions. Feel free to send any communication, including health forms, to bel-nurses@d303.org to ensure that all of our Bell Graham nurses receive this important information pertaining to your student(s)The health office direct line is 331-228-2104.

Thank you!

Kerisa Martini Espinosa, RN

LeeAnna Anzaldi,MSN, RN, PEL-ILSN

As ParentVUE serves as an official and confidential system recording communication and submission of student information, it is imperative that students not have access to their parent/guardian’s accounts. If you have shared your credentials with your student in the interim, it is requested that you reset passwords to maintain this confidential connection between parents/guardians and the school.

Below is a description of the tiles available in ParentVUE.

• Calendar:
• Provides the District 303 calendar
• Current Schedule:
• Shows class schedule information for the current school year
• Ability to email teachers of the scheduled classes
• Report Card:
• Provides access to student report cards (when available)

• School Information:
• Displays school address, phone number, principal name, and staff list
• Student Information:
• Shows information submitted through school registration
• Attendance:
• Allows parents/guardians to submit day-of or next-day absences for the school to review and record
• Provides parents/guardians with student attendance records including excused and unexcused absences, tardies, office visits, field trips, etc.

• When you can drop your child off
• Where to find bus route info.
• Arrival/Dismissal guidelines for car riders, walkers, bus riders
• Traffic flow map

Zonar MyView is a new mobile app available for you to track your child’s school bus on your smartphone or tablet. See the bus’s location whenever you need. Set alerts for when the bus is nearby. Get the bus information you need when you need it. Safe. Secure. Customizable. The app is available for Android and iOS devices.

We have included a flyer (see below) with the code needed to align the app with your student’s route, as well as the email address that you will be able to utilize for any questions or concerns you may experience with the app.

Transportation is also implementing a new system for elementary students called Backpack Tags. This is a color-coded card system that attaches to a student’s backpack with a clear luggage tag and should remain on their backpack for the school year. The school will ensure the tags are attached to the student's backpack on the first day of school. The student’s afternoon bus will have a sign hanging on the stairwell that matches the student’s backpack tag.

On one side will be the student’s initials and homeroom number. On the other side will be the name of the school, afternoon route # and their afternoon bus stop location.

School staff and School Bus Drivers will be able to easily identify the afternoon route home that students belong on. In previous years, the district would issue red bracelets to the kindergarten students. This year, we will have red luggage tag straps for our kindergarten students in place of the bracelets.

If a student has a route change and/or bus stop location change, the transportation department will notify the school. The school will update or issue a new backpack tag for that student and have it on the student’s backpack for the ride home.

If you notice an error on your child’s backpack tag, please contact the school so it can be updated.

*Calendars may be revised. Take note of approval and revision dates.

Mr. Trevor Huisinga - Assistant Principal

Website: bellgraham.d303.org
Location: 4N505 Fox Mill Blvd St. Charles, IL 60175
Phone: 331-228-2100
Facebook: facebook.com/BellGrahamElementary

In D303, we value the opportunity to provide a community of care and support to our families, especially those faced with financial hardship.

If your family is currently experiencing a significant financial need, our community partnerships have several supports available for families including: school clothes/shoes, winter coats/accessories, school supplies, toiletries, holiday meals, and/or holiday gifts. If you would like to be considered for any of these supports, please complete Family Resource Form by September 11, 2026.

En D303, valoramos la oportunidad de proveer una comunidad de cuidado y apoyo a nuestras familias, especialmente a aquellas que enfrentan dificultades financieras.

Si su familia está experimentando actualmente una necesidad financiera significativa, nuestras asociaciones comunitarias tienen varios apoyos disponibles para las familias, incluyendo: ropa/calzado para la escuela, abrigos/accesorios de invierno, materiales escolares, artículos de aseo personal, comidas para los días festivos, y/o regalos para navidad. Si desea que se le tenga en cuenta para cualquiera de estas ayudas, por favor, rellene este formulario. Para ser considerado, es fundamental que complete esta encuesta a más tardar el viernes 11 de septiembre.